The One Grows Even Taller as Design Continues to Evolve

Already set to become Canada's tallest building, the ongoing evolution of Mizrahi Developments' The One has seen the height of Toronto tower increased to 340.6 metres/1,117 feet, up from the 329.5 metre height previously proposed. Now planned as an 84-storey building—an increase of four floors—new renderings also show the tower's podium levels have been aesthetically re-imagined, with an intricate diamond-pattern exterior replacing a comparatively plainer previous proposal.

The new design, looking east along Bloor, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

While the project's the Foster + Partners design (developed in association with Toronto-based Core Architects) has already undergone several changes since the development was first announced last March, the latest design changes see some of the building's features significantly revised. The most conspicuous changes are seen along the tower's exterior, with the current podium—facing south and now two storeys shorter than was initially proposed—presenting a particularly striking aesthetic departure from previous designs.

Looking southeast at the new podium along Yonge, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

In a more subtle aesthetic change, the tower's exterior is now predominantly characterized by a 'champagne' tone with bronze accents. New renderings of the podium levels highlight the revised colour palette, with transparent glass commercial elevators—housed behind a perforated metal screen—also a new highlight of the design.

The western elevator core may prove to be a highlight of the new design, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

Three elevator lobbies—one for retail levels, one for restaurant levels, and one for residents— will be accessible off an open passageway leading from a 12 metre-deep public plaza on Bloor Street. Above, passageways on each level will allow people to transfer from the elevators into the main levels of the tower.

The public retail concourse along Bloor leads to the elevators, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

Meanwhile, the project's Yonge Street setback will allow for an expanded sidewalk and public piaza along the east elevation. The latest rendering of the ground level at Yonge Street also shows impressively high windows for what is certain to be one of the premier retail spaces in the city.

Looking south along Yonge Street, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

In addition, the layout of the tower's mechanical floors has also been revised, with five mechanical areas (each nine metres high and covered by louvers) now spaced out more evenly above the podium at 18-storey intervals. Compared to the earlier iterations, the new design conveys greater visual balance.

The exoskeletal tower—which was previously redesigned from a rectangular to a square floorplate due to separation concerns with a neighbouring tower—is also set to be topped by a glass-walled, double-height outdoor amenity space. The wind-shielded treed terrace—over 1,000 feet above ground—will feature landscaping by The Planning Partnership and include space for residents to enjoy al fresco dining.

A close-up of the revised exoskeleton design, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

Inside, the 416-unit tower (initially proposed as a 544-unit project before the floorplate was reconfigured) also features updated layouts and amenity configurations. With the podium slightly reduced in height and saleable retail space, the bulk of interior amenities have been moved to the south side of the podium roof, with premium retail space now planned for the first four floors, as well as the underground concourse level. The remainder of the podium will be given over to three floors (5-7) of restaurant space, plus a potential cultural facility on the eighth floor, which will be topped by residential amenities.

A rendering of a suite interior, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

Above, the tower's residential area will feature 8 units per storey up to the 48th floor, followed by an additional 36 storeys—interspersed with mechanical sections—featuring 4 units each. Finally, the tower's residential space will be topped with four storeys (81-84) each housing only two large and luxurious penthouse units per floor. The extra height of the building has been determined to not have increased shadowing impacts on nearby parks.

Below grade, a reduction in parking space sees the number of underground parking levels reduced from eight to four, bringing the total number of parking spots down from 607 to 305. The reduction in below-grade infrastructure means that the development can maintain an accelerated construction timeline, with an early 2018 opening targeted for the ground-level retail.

760/762 Yonge, image retrieved via Google Maps

In recent months, Mizrahi Developments have also been in the process acquired the nearby property at 760/762 Yonge Street, located to the south of the project (above). The low-rise property (currently home to fast food outlets) could be demolished to provide an additional vehicular access point to The One if needed, though precise details of these plans have yet to take form.

PATH Connection from The One to 2 Bloor West and the Holt Renfrew Centre, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

According to the latest architectural plans, the project would feature one point of immediate underground access to the PATH system, with a passageway planned directly to the tower's north (meeting the existing pathway below 2 Bloor West at the Holt Renfrew Centre). Two knockout panels are also planned to facilitate future connections to the Manulife Centre to the west and the Hudson's Bay complex to the northeast.

What do you think of the updated design for Toronto's tallest building? Make sure to check out our dataBase file for more information and additional new renderings. Leave a comment on this page, or join in on the discussion in our associated Forum thread, linked below.